Dubai`s Emirates Airline
, which starts services to and from North America
next spring, has won a major award from a top US aviation magazine.

Air Transport World
honoured the fast-growing international carrier with the
“Passenger Service Airline of the Year” award at the 29th Annual Airline
Achievement Awards Dinner at Washington`s Capital Hilton Hotel. Emirates
SkyCargo also won a silver award for corporate advertising.

Jay Donoghue, ATW`s editorial director, said: “Emirates is entering the US
market with top marks for excellence and worldwide recognition. This honour,
not necessarily given annually, is awarded only when it is truly deserved.

“US travellers between Dubai and North America will soon have the
opportunity to learn what we at ATW have determined: Emirates is one
world-class airline,” Mr Donoghue said. 

Emirates will launch services between the US and Dubai in 2004, and had
previously won the same award in 1992. It won again this year for delivering
top quality standards to passengers in all classes of service. 

The award, one of the aviation industry`s most highly-respected honours,
reflects Emirates` reputation among frequent international flyers as a
leader in in-flight luxury, comfort and safety. 

Jim Baxter, Emirates` vice president, North America, said: “Every airline
faced monumental pressures this year, and we`re particularly pleased to win
as we prepare to enter the highly competitive American market. It means that
people who know international air travel best look to us as a global leader
in delivering an incomparable passenger experience.”

Emirates, set up in 1985, now serves 64 cities in 45 countries with one of
the world`s most modern fleets. Its First Class features state-of-the-art
airport lounges with full business facilities, swift check-in and boarding,
eight-course meals, a personal video library and in-flight entertainment
with the latest films. 

Its Business Class features exclusive check-ins, comfortable Business
Lounges with Internet access, personal satellite phones in every seat and
meals planned by leading world chefs.  In Economy, ergonomically designed
seats with generous legroom go hand-in-hand with full five-course meals and
warm, genuine hospitality.

Emirates is one of the world`s fastest growing international passenger and
cargo airlines, offering an important gateway to Asia-Pacific, Africa and
the Middle East. In 2004 It will launch daily non-stop services between New
York and its Dubai home base, and plans to fly to other North American
cities soon afterwards.
Related stories on ITN:

(23/01/2003) Emirates Announces New Expansion Plan

(23/12/2002) Galileo Emirates Honours Top UAE Agents

(20/11/2002) Emirates Airline Set to Soar with Oracle E-Business Suite

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